Halloween

This year for FHE Halloween week we were going to carve pumpkins, but it had been so hot they were already mushy. So, we improvised and colored a few little ones that were in the house. Asher loved coloring with the markers so it was a big hit! Then on Saturday we went to the ward Trunk or Treat. We had been running around all day long so Asher fell asleep right before we got there. We let him sleep a few minutes while we ate and then woke him up to trick or treat. We were all dressed up in our cowboy gear and Asher got the hang of it after a few cars. Ryan took Asher to a few cars and he filled up his bucket very quickly. He was only interested in the cheddar bunnies and a sucker - lucky for Ryan and I so we got the good stuff! Asher had a lot of fun with his friends after trick or treating playing in the grass and eating candy. Fortunately, Sunday Susan made dinner for all of us at Bethany's since Ryan and I spent all morning popping 125 bags of popcorn for my sharing time after the Sacrament program and then we still had to clean up the huge mess after church. It was all worth it since the kids did great and they loved playing bingo with the popcorn and eating it. We had lots of fun this year and can't wait until next year!

Bayou Wildlife Park

Luckily, our ward playgroup had a change in days and scheduled the Bayou Wildlife Park for Friday. Ryan was off so we were all able to go. It was so much fun!! Since we went with a group we got a great rate and all got a bucket of food for the ride. We easily went through all three buckets with all the animals that we saw. They had some deer walking around to pet and a small petting zoo area. Then we went on the tram ride. It was a little crazy with all those animals coming right up to you, but the kids loved it and we had an awesome time!!

70.3 Miles!!

Yes, Ryan swam, biked and ran a total of 70.3 miles yesterday! He can proudly say that he finished the Ironman Austin 70.3. Asher and I were so proud to be able to watch him compete! Saturday we drove up to the Travis County Expo center so Ryan could check in his bike and get all his running and biking bags checked in as well. It was quite the process with over 2200 competitors signed up to compete. Once everything was squared away we checked into our hotel and headed to Carrabbas for dinner. I think we saw close to 20 other Ironman competitors there as well! It was definitely the place to be. In the morning we headed to the course about 6am and hit horrible race traffic. Some competitors were getting out and walking to the expo center. I think I was getting more nervous than Ryan and kept asking if he wanted to get out, but after about 45 minutes it finally started flowing. We parked and Ryan headed to the buses to be shuttled over to the lake. I got Asher ready and all our stuff together for the day and headed to the buses to make it before Ryan's wave started. Luckily, a few people took pity on the hugely pregnant lady with a toddler and helped me load and unload the stroller from the bus. We made it in plenty of time and were able to see Ryan complete a great swim! We ran (well walked as fast as I could carrying Asher) up the hill and cheered him on as he started his bike portion. I decided to walk the mile back to the expo center, instead of take the bus, and luckily Asher slept in the stroller for a portion of the walk. Asher and I shared his first snowcone and had some lunch as we waited for Ryan to finish the bike portion. Then we cheered him on for the run. It was two loops so we waited for Ryan to come around for the first time and he was right on track. Let's just say Asher had about had all the fun he could have at that point and we were sure glad to see Ryan run into the expo center and through the finish line. I don't know who was more excited Ryan or myself! Ryan had to speak at a missionary fireside that night so we hurried home after loading everything up. It was a great race and we are so proud to have an Ironman in our fam!

We're So Glad When Daddy Comes Home

Ryan was gone all weekend at a huge 100 year celebration for scouting. He had a great time with the boys and leaders, but we were so glad to see him after church. Asher and I did have lots of fun together this weekend though. First on Friday we met our playgroup at an inflatable zone and joined a few moms at a pizza place afterward. Asher had lots of fun on the inflatables and with his friends. Saturday we went to Bear Creek Park to see the animals. He loves the buffaloes and was lucky to have one sitting right next to the fence he could look at. He was so good on Saturday that we went to Learning Express to get him some new puzzles. Well, forty five minutes later he hadn't left the train table so we came home with a small train track and only one new puzzle. He may just be getting a train table from Santa instead of what Santa had planned. Today he did great and went right into nursery. I was nervous since he had only gone in one other time but he went right in. I was so glad since I was conducting and doing sharing time in Primary since only our secretary was there with me. It was a fun weekend, but we sure miss Ryan when he is gone!

Just Like Grandpa Ashe

The other day at Target I made an impulsive pregnant buy and bought some Halloween oreos. So, I let Asher have one the other day after lunch and he is just like his Grandpa Ashe. Oreos and watching football and he is in heaven!

Making sure all the frosting made it in!

Dewberry Farms

I love to do traditional things for the holidays! So, Saturday we took our annual trip to Dewberry Farms. We were so glad that the Mabel, Annie and Violet were all able to come pal around with Asher. Ryan was even excited to go this year since Asher loves animals and tractors so we knew he would be loving it. We had such a great time.

First we fed the goats

Then we looked at all the animals in the barn with Asher making all the animal noises.
Asher then rode the pony. He could have rode it over and over. He loved it.
I think sitting on the tractor may have been one of his favorite things. As well as the funnel cake fries that his Aunt Bethany shared with him!
Asher loved this ride last year, but this year he wanted to sit on the tractor pulling the cars instead of sit in his own!
Asher could have walked around the pumpkin patch all day. He tried to roll and sit on all the pumpkins he could. Luckily, Ryan went out and found some great pumpkins for us while I watched Asher or we would have been out there forever.

Can't wait to go again next year with Baby Girl in tow!

Sidewalk Painting

I saw this on someone's blog a while back and it finally cooled down so I thought we would try it. I was a little skeptical since the colored water doesn't really show up on the sidewalk, but Asher loved it. I'm sure we'll be doing it again as long as it stays cool!